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Man shoots self, accused of false report

MONTROSE — A false report landed a Montrose man in jail after investigators determined he accidentally shot himself in the leg and was not a victim of a drive-by shooting.

Michael Romero, 43, told police he was walking down south Townsend Avenue on Friday when someone in a vehicle drove beside him and shot him in the leg. Investigators later that day determined that wasn’t true and arrested Romero on suspicion of providing false information, reckless endangerment, illegal discharge of a firearm and violation of a court order.

According to Montrose Police Chief Tom Chinn, the incident took place at around 4:30 a.m. Friday. Chinn said Romero had been drinking and entertaining himself with a small-caliber handgun in his living room when it discharged, sending the bullet through his leg and into another part the residence at 19 Brown Road.

Investigators later determined the bullet was a threat to the other occupants in the home.

Romero is restricted by court order from consuming alcohol or possessing firearms, and Chinn said Romero possibly made up the story to avoid being arrested.

Romero was treated at Montrose Memorial Hospital before he was booked in the Montrose County Jail, Chinn said.

Court records detail Romero posted a $2,500 cash bond and is due back in court Nov. 23.